How to Make a Paper Crossbow

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References Tested

The crossbow is an ancient weapon that is believed to have been used in China as far back as the 6th century BC!^{[1]
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Research source} You can make your own fully functional paper crossbow that looks and works like the classic weapon. All you need are a few sheets of regular printer paper to make the body of the crossbow, a rubber band for a drawstring, and a few straws to use as bolts, which are what crossbows fire instead of arrows. With a little bit of tape and glue, you’ll be firing your paper crossbow in no time at all!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Forming the Crossbow

1
Fold 1 sheet of paper in half lengthwise. Take a sheet of standard 8.5 by 11 in (22 by 28 cm) printer paper and lay it flat on a desk or table. Fold the paper in half and line up the edges. Use your fingers to make a firm crease at the fold.^{[2]
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- If you want to make a sturdier paper crossbow, you can use construction paper or cardstock.
2
Form a tube by rolling the paper up from the short end and taping it. Start at the short end of the paper you folded and begin rolling it up from the edge. Continue rolling up the paper to form a tube with a diameter of about 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm). Take a strip of clear tape and wrap it around the center of the tube to keep it from coming undone. Add a strip at the top and the bottom of the tube to keep it secured.^{[3]
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- If you don’t have clear tape, use duct tape or painter’s tape.
3
Roll up another sheet of paper lengthwise and secure it with tape. Use another sheet of 8.5 by 11 in (22 by 28 cm) paper and start rolling it up at the end. Form a longer tube with a diameter that matches the shorter one you made.^{[4]
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Research source} Secure the tube with clear tape in the center and at both ends so it doesn’t come undone.
- Try to get the tubes to be as close to the same diameter as possible.
4
Glue 2 thin craft sticks over the center of the short tube. Choose thin craft sticks to form the arms of the bow. Place the shorter tube upright and lay the craft sticks across the top of it. Leave a small gap about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide between the sticks so your crossbow bolt can fit between them. Use a hot glue gun and apply glue to where the craft sticks connect to the edges of the tube.^{[5]
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- Pull off any strands of glue once it dries so they’re out of the way.
- Hot glue can burn your skin, so be careful when you’re using it!
5
Wrap a rubber band around both ends of the arms securely. Take a thin rubber band and wrap it around the end of 1 of the crossbow arms. Tie the rubber band in a knot to secure it, then wrap it around the other end of the arm and tie another knot.^{[6]
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Research source} You could also wrap a rubber band around both ends of the arms and secure it with tape around them.
- Use a thinner rubber band so it stretches more easily.
6
Attach the short tube to the long tube side-by-side with glue. Spread a straight line of hot glue down the side of the smaller tube. Place the short tube next to the long tube and line up the tops of each tube.^{[7]
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Research source} Hold the tubes together for a few seconds to allow the glue to bond them.
- You could also add hot glue between the tubes to secure them as well.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Using the Crossbow

1
Stretch the rubber band over the backside of the small tube. Keep the rubber band straight across the crossbow arms until you’re ready to use it so it doesn’t stretch or pull off the arms. Get your crossbow ready to fire by pulling the rubber band back over the end of the short tube.^{[8]
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- Place the band toward the center of the backside of the tube.
2
Slide a straw into the small tube so the end is touching the rubber bands. Use a straw as a safe crossbow bolt that won’t injure someone or damage anything. Insert the straw into the backside of the tube and place the back of the straw so it’s resting against the rubber band.^{[9]
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- You could load the straw from the front as well.
- If you’re shooting at a target, or you want a more powerful bolt, you can use wooden skewers instead of straws. But be careful because they could be painful or damage an eye.
3
Pinch the straw and rubber bands together. Line up the rubber band so it’s in the center of the straw. Use your fingers to squeeze both the straw and the rubber band when you’re ready to draw and fire your crossbow.^{[10]
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4
Pull back the bolt and rubber bands and release them to fire. Keep the straw and rubber band gently pinched and start to pull them back. When you feel the tension, let go of the straw to sending it flying.^{[11]
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- If you’re having trouble firing the bolt, make sure the rubber band is centered on the backside of the straw when you draw it back.
- Practice shooting your crossbow to find out how far back you need to pull the bolt and rubber band to fire it accurately.
- Set up empty cans for targets if you want to practice your aim!

Community Q&A

Question

What kind of paper is best for this?

Community Answer

Choose a paper that is thick, but still easy to work with, such as construction paper or card stock.
Question

Do I need three rubber bands or could I use two?

Community Answer

It depends on how big your crossbow is. If you have a bigger crossbow use 3, but if you have downsized it, then you could use one or two.
Question

What happens if my paper crossbow doesn't shoot?

Community Answer

Look for problems with the construction. If you can't fix them, start over from the beginning.